What exactly is Tizen and on what devices is it used?
Tizen OS is a Linux-based operating system that is maintained by the Linux Foundation and used primarily by Samsung. Because the Tizen operating system is open source, developers can access it to create compatible apps and incorporate it into third-party devices such as smartwatches and smart TVs.
Which devices use the Tizen operating system?
Several variants of the Tizen operating system have been developed to power different types of devices. For example, you can find Tizen Wearable on a variety of Samsung smartwatches such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch series and Galaxy Gear. Tizen Mobile works with Samsung’s low-cost smartphones. Other versions of the Tizen include OS IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) for cars and Tizen TV for smart TVs.
Tizen Wearable OS: Samsung Smartwatches
While most Samsung smartphones run on a modified version of Android, their smartwatches run on Tizen Wearable, which has a separate OS App ecosystem (formerly Android Wear). The Tizen Store has a smaller selection of apps than Wear OS, but it has a number of watch faces. Samsung smartwatches also have the Gear app, which connects the handset to your smartphone and creates a bridge between the Tizen apps and the Android operating system.
Tizen OS works with the rotating bezel on Samsung smartwatches, making it easier to view notifications and navigate through settings and other parts of the interface. Samsung says the Tizen operating system is also optimized to allow for longer battery life.
Tizen on Smart TVs, cars and smart home devices
The Tizen operating system is also used in a variety of vehicles to manage entertainment and in-flight navigation. You’ll also find it on Samsung Smart TVs and other smart appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines and dryers, thermostats and light bulbs.
On TVs, Tizen is the interface you use to access streaming apps like Netflix. Tizen is also allowing a smart washing machine to send you a text when the cycle is over. Smart devices connect to the Samsung SmartThings mobile app so you can use your smartphone to control them.
Tizen vs. Tizen Wearing the operating system
There are many more Wear OS watches than Samsung watches because Google works with many manufacturers. All Samsung watches have a rotating bezel for navigation, which many users prefer to repeatedly scroll up and down and side by side. Some Wear OS watches have a rotating bezel, but many don’t.
Google encourages developers to add Wear OS support to apps already in the Play Store, so a wider selection of apps are available. Samsung watches have a variety of built-in Samsung apps, but third-party apps have less offer. The company has partnered with some third-party companies to create Tizen-friendly apps, including Spotify and Flipboard. Photo:Samsung research
The other main difference is the built-in virtual assistant for voice commands. As it is, Google Assistant, on Wear OS Watches, is more popular than Samsung’s Bixby, but both platforms continue to improve over time. For mobile payments, Wear OS uses Google Pay, while Samsung watches have Samsung Pay.
